Welcome to Melbourne's first and only taqueria, bakery and coffee shop hybrid. Bread and tacos. Why not?

When the previous tenants of this St George's Road premises left a fully functioning bakery out the back, the El Chino team stuck some bun-rollers into one kitchen and Mexican chef Alfonso ‘Fonz’ Foncerrada (Cafe Rosamond, Seven Seeds) in the other to do Mexican brunch.

In the white tiled dining room there’s a bit of hard rubbish up-cycling going on and plenty of pastel mint paintwork. Nanna-style cream buns and rock cakes studded with sultanas fill a glass cabinet next to freshly baked loaves on the counter. Small tables with knobbly legs and marble finishes are cute as a button, but do expect some knee bumping with the clientele of pre/post Piedimonte’s shoppers, burdened with bags and prams. A courtyard area (still under construction) promises seating for 30 more peeps.

El Chino! is currently unlicensed, so you'll have to forgo your breakfast booze and settle for a well made coffee. Single origin beans from Guatamala are the focus here or go for a grapefruit Jarritos soda – pride of Mexico.

Other than a few small issues with service (swinging from friendly and helpful to less than enthusiastic) this slightly unusual combination of homestyle Mexican meals, baguettes and lattes is working for us.